The Lakers will play their final game in the California Classic against a noted California team in the Heat before heading to Las Vegas.
The Lakers will finish the non-Las Vegas portion of their Summer League schedule on Wednesday. In a matchup built for an event dubbed the California Classic, the Lakers will play the Miami Heat in a late-afternoon showdown.
Who: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Miami Heat
When: 4 p.m. PT, July 10
Where: Chase Center
Watch: ESPN2
Without Bronny James on Sunday, the Lakers were walloped by the Kings. Those two things are likely not a cause and effect, but the purple and gold have had a very up-and-down ride through the first two Summer League games this year.
After a strong opening game, Maxwell Lewis missed all eight of his shots on Sunday. While Colin Castleton has had a double-double in both contests, it hasn’t been the prettiest of basketball for him, either.
Dalton Knecht, meanwhile, has looked every bit of the rookie he is. Across the two games, he’s 6-21 from the field and 2-7 from the 3-point line. Nearly half of his 24 points have come at the free throw line, which isn’t an indictment as it shows an ability to get there, but shows some of the struggles as well.
Obviously, Bronny’s health will be an important thing to monitor, too. Swelling in his left knee sidelined him on Sunday in the second game of a back-to-back. Having had several days off, one would expect him to return on Wednesday.
The Lakers will see a familiar friend lining up against them for the Heat as Cole Swider is playing for Miami this summer. In the Heat’s win on Sunday, he scored 21 points on, predictably, 5-10 3-point shooting. Kel’el Ware, the Heat’s first round pick, had 26 points and 11 rebounds in that win.
Miami, too, suffered a blowout loss, falling to Golden State in their opener by 39 points. Moral of the story here? Summer League games should not be taken all that seriously.
Unless Dalton Knecht scores 40 in the next week-and-a-half. Then it’s a sign that he’s the next Austin Reaves.
You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.
